Manchester City have suffered a major blow to their title defence after Ederson was ruled out for up to four weeks with a thigh injury and is likely to miss their crucial meeting with the leaders, Arsenal, on 31 March.
Ederson suffered the problem in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool, the goalkeeper being forced off after 56 minutes, with Stefan Ortega replacing him.
Ortega is an experienced deputy who started June’s triumphant FA Cup final and the regular No 1 in that competition. But the loss of Ederson, who is key to City’s buildup from the back, for up to three Premier League games – the home meetings with Arsenal and Aston Villa plus the trip to Crystal Palace - is a significant setback as Pep Guardiola’s team seek a record four successive league titles.
Sunday’s draw means Mikel Arteta’s side have 64 points, the same as Liverpool, with City one behind, all having 10 matches remaining.
To have the best chance of retaining the title, the champions ideally need to beat Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Easter Sunday.
The Brazil goalkeeper will definitely miss his country’s friendlies against England and Spain later this month with the injury.
Ortega previously replaced Ederson eight minutes into City’s 3-2 league win at Newcastle in January.
The 31-year-old struck a confident tone after the match at Anfield, insisting he was not overawed.
“If you are on the bench, you always think about what can happen if you go on the pitch,” Ortega told City’s website. “[Against Liverpool] was my time with Eddie’s injury. I was ready like always. It was a special moment to come on in this big game and the whole world watching. It was a nice feeling.”
